Electrically heated cigarette including controlled-release flavoring

ABSTRACT

Electrically heated cigarettes used in an electrical smoking system include a flavoring-release additive and sorbent effective to remove one or more gas-phase constituents of mainstream tobacco smoke. The flavoring-release additive includes at least one flavoring. The flavoring is released in the cigarette upon the flavoring-release additive reaching at least a minimum temperature during smoking. The flavoring-release additive can have various forms including, for example, beads, films and inclusion complexes. Electrical smoking systems including the electrically heated cigarettes, methods of making the cigarettes, and methods of smoking the cigarettes are also provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/422,497 entitled ELECTRICALLY HEATEDCIGARETTE INCLUDING CONTROLLED RELEASE FLAVORING and filed on Oct. 31,2002, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditional cigarettes are smoked by lighting an end of a wrappedtobacco rod and drawing air predominately through the lit end by suctionat a mouthpiece end of the cigarette. Traditional cigarettes deliversmoke as a result of combustion, during which tobacco is combusted attemperatures that typically exceed 800° C. during a puff. The heat ofcombustion releases various gaseous combustion products and distillatesfrom the tobacco. As these gaseous products are drawn through thecigarette, they cool and condense to form an aerosol, which provides theflavors and aromas associated with smoking.

[0003] Traditional cigarettes produce sidestream smoke during smolderingbetween puffs. Once lit, they normally are fully consumed or discarded.Relighting a traditional cigarette is possible, but is not desirable forsubjunctive reasons including flavor, taste and odor.

[0004] An alternative to the more traditional cigarette is theelectrically heated cigarette used in electrical smoking systems. Ascompared to traditional cigarettes, electrical smoking systemssignificantly reduce sidestream smoke, and also permit smokers tosuspend and reinitiate smoking as desired. Exemplary electrical smokingsystems are disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,026,820;5,988,176; 5,915,387; 5,692,526; 5,692,525; 5,666,976; 5,499,636; and5,388,594, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Electrical smoking systems include an electrically poweredlighter and an electrically heated cigarette, which is constructed tocooperate with the lighter. It is desirable that electrical smokingsystems be capable of delivering smoke in a manner similar to thesmoker's experiences with traditional cigarettes, such as by providingan immediacy response (smoke delivery occurring immediately upon draw),a desired level of delivery (that correlates with FTC tar level), adesired resistance to draw (RTD), as well as puff-to-puff andcigarette-to-cigarette consistency.

[0005] Volatile flavorings have been incorporated in traditionalcigarettes to add flavors and aromas to mainstream and sidestreamtobacco smoke. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,006,347; 3,236,244;3,344,796; 3,426,011; 3,972,335; 4,715,390; 5,137,034; 5,144,964; and6,325,859, and commonly-owned International Publication No. WO 01/80671.The added flavorings are desirably volatilized when the cigarette issmoked. However, volatile flavorings tend to migrate in the cigarette toother components and possibly through the entire cigarette. Volatileflavorings can be lost from cigarettes during storage and distributionat ordinary conditions prior to smoking of the cigarettes. The degree ofmigration of volatile flavorings in cigarettes depends on differentfactors, including the flavoring's vapor pressure, the solubility of theflavoring in other components of the cigarette, and temperature andhumidity conditions. In addition, a large portion of the added flavoringcan be lost to the side stream smoke in traditional cigarettes.

[0006] Flavorings that have been incorporated in traditional cigarettesalso can chemically and/or physically deteriorate by contacting and/orreacting with other components of the cigarette, as well as with theenvironment. For example, activated carbon has been incorporated intraditional cigarettes to remove gas-phase constituents from mainstreamsmoke. However, flavorings that have been incorporated in the cigarettesalong with the activated carbon have been adsorbed by the activatedcarbon, clogging pores of the activated carbon and consequentlydeactivating the activated carbon, thereby diminishing its ability tofilter tobacco smoke.

[0007] For the foregoing reasons, flavorings that have been incorporatedin traditional cigarettes have not been totally satisfactorily deliveredto the smoker. Consequently, the flavorings incorporated in sometraditional cigarettes have not satisfactorily provided the desiredtaste effect to the smoker and the flavorings' desired value to thesubjective quality of the cigarette has been less than desired. Due tothe flavoring loss, the uniformity of flavored cigarettes has not beentotally satisfactory. In addition, the sorption of flavorings bysorbents in the cigarettes has deactivated the sorbents and therebyreduced their ability to remove gas phase constituents from tobaccosmoke.

SUMMARY

[0008] In view of the above-described problems that have beenencountered in some traditional cigarettes including flavorings andthose also including sorbents, an electrically heated cigarette isprovided, which includes a sorbent and a controlled-release flavoring.In a preferred embodiment, the electrically heated cigarette comprises asorbent and a flavoring incorporated in the cigarette in a form thatpreferably minimizes release and migration of the flavoring in thecigarette prior to smoking, for example, at ambient conditions, and thuspreferably minimizes deactivation of the sorbent by the flavoring. Inaddition, the flavoring preferably is released in the cigarette in acontrolled manner during smoking. Consequently, the flavoring preferablyenhances subjective characteristics of the cigarette while the sorbentmaintains its ability to remove gas-phase constituents from mainstreamsmoke.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the electrically heated cigarettecomprises at least one sorbent and a flavoring-release additiveincluding one or more flavorings. The flavoring is releasable in thecigarette upon the flavoring-release additive being heated to at least aminimum temperature, which occurs during smoking of the cigarette.

[0010] The flavoring-release additive can be incorporated in variousforms in the electrically heated cigarette. In one preferred embodiment,the flavoring-release additive comprises beads. In another preferredembodiment, the flavoring-release additive is a film. In yet anotherpreferred embodiment, the flavoring-release additive is an inclusioncomplex including a selected host molecule, and the flavoring as a guestmolecule in the inclusion complex.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, two or more differentflavoring-release additives having different flavoring releasetemperatures are located at different locations in an electricallyheated cigarette that reach different temperatures from each other. Theflavoring-release additives can be located at locations in theelectrically heated cigarette that reach the flavoring releasetemperature for those flavoring-release additives. Accordingly, theflavoring-release additive can provide efficient, controlled release ofthe flavoring during smoking.

[0012] The electrically heated cigarette can comprise various sorbents.By providing the flavoring in the flavoring-release additive, whichpreferably minimizes release and/or migration of the flavoring until theflavoring-release additive reaches the flavoring release temperature,the flavoring is preferably substantially prevented from being sorbedby, and thus deactivating, the sorbent, thereby not adversely affectingthe sorbent's ability to remove selected gas-phase constituents frommainstream tobacco smoke. In addition, because the flavoring istemperature released in the cigarette, it can be effectively deliveredto a smoker in a controlled manner during puff cycles of the cigarette.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of an electrical smoking system comprisesa lighter and at least one electrically heated cigarette including atleast one sorbent and a flavoring-release additive.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of a method of making an electricallyheated cigarette comprises incorporating a sorbent and aflavoring-release additive into an electrically heated cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an electricallyheated cigarette for use in an electrical smoking system with thecigarette in a partially unassembled condition.

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates the electrically heated cigarette shown in FIG.1 in the assembled condition with one end of the cigarette contacting astop piece of an electrically operated lighter of the electrical smokingsystem.

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates another preferred embodiment of an electricallyheated cigarette for use in an electrical smoking system with thecigarette in a partially unassembled condition.

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an electrical smokingsystem with an electrically heated cigarette inserted into theelectrically operated lighter.

[0019]FIG. 5 illustrates the electrical smoking system shown in FIG: 4with the cigarette withdrawn from the lighter.

[0020]FIG. 6 illustrates a heater fixture of the electrical smokingsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] An electrically heated cigarette includes one or more sorbentsand at least one flavoring for affecting flavor, taste, and/or aroma oftobacco smoke. In a preferred embodiment, the flavoring is incorporatedin the cigarette in a flavoring-release additive, which preferablyminimizes the release and/or migration of the flavoring in the cigaretteprior to smoking. Preferably, the flavoring is released from theflavoring-release additive in a controlled manner during smoking of thecigarette. The flavoring-release additive enables the flavoring toenhance subjective characteristics of the cigarette while avoiding anadverse impact on the effectiveness of the sorbent in removing selectedgas-phase constituents from mainstream smoke.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the electrically heated cigarette,the flavoring is released in the cigarette upon the flavoring-releaseadditive being heated to at least a minimum temperature (flavoringrelease temperature), which occurs when a smoker draws mainstream smokethrough the cigarette.

[0023] It has been determined that different regions of the electricallyheated cigarette reach different temperatures when a smoker draws on thecigarette. In a preferred embodiment, different flavoring-releaseadditives are selectively disposed at two or more locations in theelectrically heated cigarette that respectively reach at least theminimum temperature at which the flavoring is released from theflavoring-release additive disposed at that location. By selectivelylocating one or more flavoring-release additives in the cigarette, thecigarette can provide efficient, controlled release of the flavoringduring smoking.

[0024] The flavoring-release additive can have various constructions andcompositions and can be located at one or more locations, and/orincorporated in one or more components of the electrically heatedcigarette. The flavoring-release additives can be designed to havedifferent associated flavoring release temperatures. Accordingly, theflavoring-release additives can be incorporated in the electricallyheated cigarette at locations that are most suitable for providingefficient release of the flavoring from the particular flavoring-releaseadditive.

[0025] The electrically heated cigarette can comprise one or moresorbents capable of removing selected gas-phase constituents frommainstream smoke. By providing the flavoring in the flavoring-releaseadditive that preferably minimizes the release and/or migration of theflavoring in the cigarette until the flavoring-release additive reachesat least the minimum temperature, the flavoring is preferablysubstantially prevented from deactivating the sorbent. Thus, the abilityof the sorbent to remove selected gas-phase constituents from mainstreamtobacco smoke can be maintained. Preferably, the flavoring-releaseadditive enables the flavoring to be effectively delivered to a smokerin a controlled manner.

[0026] As used herein, the term “sorption” denotes filtration byadsorption and/or absorption. Sorption is intended to encompassinteractions on the outer surface of the sorbent, as well asinteractions within the pores and channels of the sorbent. In otherwords, a “sorbent” is a substance that has the ability to condense orhold molecules of other substances on its surface, and/or the ability totake up other substances, i.e., through penetration of the othersubstances into its inner structure, or into its pores. The term“sorbent” as used herein refers to either an adsorbent, an absorbent, ora substance that can function as both an adsorbent and an absorbent.

[0027] As used herein, the term “remove” refers to adsorption and/orabsorption of at least some portion of a component of mainstream tobaccosmoke.

[0028] The term “mainstream smoke” includes the mixture of gases passingdown the tobacco rod and issuing through the filter end, i.e., theamount of smoke issuing or drawn from the mouth end of a cigaretteduring smoking of the cigarette. The mainstream smoke contains air thatis drawn in through the heated region of the cigarette and through thepaper wrapper.

[0029] The term “molecular sieve” as used herein refers to a porousstructure comprised of an inorganic material and/or organic material.Molecular sieves include natural and synthetic materials. Molecularsieves can sorb molecules of certain dimensions, while rejectingmolecules having larger dimensions.

[0030]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of theelectrically heated cigarette 23. However, it should be understood thatthe electrically heated cigarette can have other configurations suitablefor smoking in an electrically powered lighter. The electrically heatedcigarette 23 comprises a tobacco rod 60 and a filter tipping 62 joinedtogether by tipping paper 64. The tobacco rod 60 preferably includes atobacco web or “mat” 66 folded into a tubular form about a free-flowfilter 74 at one end and a tobacco plug 80 at the other end.

[0031] An over wrap 71 surrounds the tobacco-containing mat 66 and isheld together along a longitudinal seam. The over wrap 71 retains themat 66 in a wrapped condition about the free-flow filter 74 and tobaccoplug 80.

[0032] The mat 66 preferably comprises a base web 68 and a layer oftobacco material 70. The tobacco material 70 can be located along theinside surface or the outside surface of the base web 68. At the tippedend of the tobacco rod 60, the mat 66 and the over wrap 71 are wrappedabout the free-flow filter plug 74. Preferably, the tobacco plug 80comprises a relatively short tobacco column 82 of cut filler tobacco,which is retained by a surrounding inner wrap 84.

[0033] A void 90 is between the free-flow filter 74 and the tobacco plug80. The void 90 is an unfilled portion of the tobacco rod 60 and is influid communication with the tipping 62 through the free flow filter 74.

[0034] The tipping 62 preferably comprises a free-flow filter 92 locatedadjacent the tobacco rod 60 and a mouthpiece filter plug 94 at thedistal end of the tipping 62 from the tobacco rod 60. Preferably, thefree-flow filter 92 is tubular and transmits air with very low pressuredrop. The mouthpiece filter plug 94 closes off the free end of thetipping 62.

[0035] The cigarette 23 optionally includes at least one row ofperforations 12 adjacent the free end 15 of the cigarette 23. Theperforations can be formed as slits 17, which preferably extend throughthe over wrap 71, the mat 66 and the inner wrap 84.

[0036] To further improve delivery, at least one additional row ofperforations 14 comprising slits 17 can optionally be formed at alocation along the tobacco plug 80. The perforations 12 or 14 maycomprise a single row or a dual row of slits 17. The number and extentof the slits 17 can be selected to control the resistance to draw (RTD)along the side walls of the cigarettes 23 and the delivery.

[0037] Optional holes 16 provided in the mat 66 are covered by the overwrap 71. The perforations 12, 14 can be used to approximate desireddelivery levels for the cigarette 23, with the holes 16 being used toadjust delivery with a lesser effect on the RTD.

[0038] The cigarette 23 preferably has a substantially constant diameteralong its length. The diameter of the cigarette 23, like moretraditional cigarettes, is preferably between about 7.5 mm to 8.5 mm sothat the electrical smoking system 21 provides a smoker with a familiar“mouth feel” during smoking.

[0039] The tobacco column 82 preferably comprises cut filler of atypical blend of tobaccos, such as blends comprising bright, Burley, andOriental tobaccos together with, optionally, reconstituted tobaccos andother blend components, including traditional cigarette flavors.

[0040] The free-flow filter 92 and the mouthpiece filter plug 94 arepreferably joined together as a combined plug with a plug wrap 101. Theplug wrap 101 is preferably a porous, low-weight plug wrap. The combinedplug is attached to the tobacco rod 60 by the tipping paper 64.

[0041] As described above, the electrically heated cigarette 23 cancomprise one or more sorbents that remove gas-phase constituents oftobacco smoke. The sorbent can comprise one or more porous materialsthrough which tobacco smoke can flow. In a preferred embodiment, thesorbent is activated carbon. For example, the sorbent can compriseactivated carbon granules located in a void in the filter, or activatedcarbon particles loaded on fibrous material or paper. The activatedcarbon can be in various forms including particles, fibers, beads, andthe like. The activated carbon can have different porositycharacteristics, such as a selected pore size and total pore volume.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment, the sorbent is one or moresuitable molecular sieve sorbent materials. Molecular sieve sorbentsthat may be used in the electrically heated cigarette 23 include, butare not limited to, one or more of the zeolites, mesoporous silicates,alumino phosphates, mesoporous aluminosilicates, and other relatedporous materials, such as mixed oxide gels, which may optionally furthercomprise inorganic or organic ions and/or metals. See, for example,commonly-owned International Publication No. WO 01/80973, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the sorbent is one or more zeolites.Zeolites include crystalline aluminosilicates having pores, such aschannels and/or cavities of uniform, molecular sized dimensions. Thereare many known unique zeolite structures having different sized andshaped pores, which can significantly affect the properties of thesematerials with regard to sorption and separation processes. Moleculescan be separated by zeolites by size and shape effects related to thepossible orientation of the molecules in the pores, and/or bydifferences in strength of sorption. One or more zeolites having poreslarger than one or more selected gas phase components of a gas that isdesired to be filtered can be used in the electrically heated cigarette23, such that only selected molecules that are small enough to passthrough the pores of the molecular sieve material are able to enter thecavities and be sorbed on the zeolite.

[0044] The zeolite can be, but is not limited to, one or more of zeoliteA; zeolite X; zeolite Y; zeolite K-G; zeolite ZK-5; zeolite BETA;zeolite ZK-4 and zeolite ZSM-5. In a preferred embodiment, zeolite ZSM-5and/or zeolite BETA is used. ZSM-5 is in the MFI structuralclassification family and represented by the crystal chemical data[Na_(n)(Al_(n)Si_(96-n)O₁₉₂)˜16H₂O, with n<27, orthorhombic, Pnma],while zeolite BETA is in the BEA structural classification family andrepresented by the crystal chemical data [Na₇(Al₇Si₅₇O₁₂₈) tetragonal,P4₁22]. These two zeolites are thermally stable at temperatures up toabout 800° C., allowing them to be incorporated in cigarette filtersand/or the tobacco rod of the electrically heated cigarette 23.

[0045] In another preferred embodiment, the sorbent incorporated in theelectrically heated cigarette 23 has a composite composition. In suchembodiment, the sorbent comprises, for example, activated carbon and oneor more molecular sieve materials, such as those described above. Forexample, sorbent fibers can be impregnated with at least one sorbent.

[0046] Microporous, mesoporous, and/or macroporous molecular sieves maybe used in the electrically heated cigarette 23, depending on theselected component(s) desired to be removed from mainstream tobaccosmoke.

[0047] The sorbent can be incorporated in one or more locations of theelectrically heated cigarette 23. For example, the sorbent can placed inthe passageway of the tubular free-flow filter 74, in the free-flowfilter 92, and/or in the void space 90. The sorbent can additionally oralternatively be incorporated in the tobacco plug 80.

[0048]FIG. 3 shows another preferred embodiment of an electricallyheated cigarette 23 including a filter 150. The filter 150 comprises asorbent in the form of oriented fibers 152 and a sleeve 154, such aspaper, surrounding the fibers. The sorbent can be, for example, one ormore of activated carbon, silica gel, zeolite, and other molecularsieves in fibrous forms. The sorbents can be surface modified materials,for example, surface modified silica gel, such as amino propyl silyl(APS) silica gel. Sorbent mixtures can provide different filtrationcharacteristics to achieve a targeted filtered mainstream smokecomposition.

[0049] Alternatively, the fibers 152 can comprise one or more sorbentmaterials, such as carbon, silica, zeolite and the like, impregnated inmicrocavity fibers, such as TRIAD™ micro-cavity fiber, as disclosed incommonly-owned International Publication No. WO 01/80973. In a preferredembodiment, the fibers are shaped microcavity fibers impregnated withparticles of one or more sorbent materials, or alternatively continuousactivated carbon fibers. The fibers preferably have a diameter of fromabout 10 microns to about 100 microns. The fibers can have a length offrom about 10 microns to about 200 microns, for example.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment, the fibers are bundles ofnon-continuous fibers, which are preferably oriented parallel to thedirection of mainstream smoke flow through the electrically heatedcigarette.

[0051] The filters 150 including fibers 152 can be formed, for example,by stretching a bundle of non-crimped sorbent fiber material, preferablyhaving a controlled total and per filament denier, through a pre-formedor in-situ formed sleeve 154 during the filter making process. Theformed filter can be sized by cutting to a desired length. For example,the filters can have a length of from about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

[0052] The filter 150 including fibers 152 can be incorporated in theelectrically heated cigarette at one or more desired locations.Referring also to FIGS. 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment, the filter150 can be substituted for the entire free-flow filter 92. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the free-flow filter 150 can be substituted for aportion of the free-flow filter 92. The filter 150 can be in contactwith (i.e., abut) the free-flow filter 74, positioned between thefree-flow filter 74 and the mouthpiece filter plug 94, or in contactwith (i.e., abut) the mouthpiece filter plug 94. The filter 150preferably has a diameter substantially equal to that of the outerdiameter of the free-flow filter 92 to minimize by-pass of smoke duringthe filtration process.

[0053] The fibrous sorbents preferably have a high loft with a suitablepacking density and fiber length such that parallel pathways are createdbetween fibers. Such structure can effectively remove significantamounts of selected gas-phase constituents, such as formaldehyde and/oracrolein, while preferably removing only a minimal amount of particulatematter from the smoke, thereby achieving a significant reduction of theselected gas-phase constituents, while not significantly affecting thetotal particulate matter (TPM) in the gas. A sufficiently low packingdensity and a sufficiently short fiber length are preferred to achievesuch filtration performance.

[0054] The amount of sorbent used in preferred embodiments of theelectrically heated cigarette 23 depends on the amount of selectedgas-phase constituents in the tobacco smoke and the amount of theconstituents that is desired to be removed from the tobacco smoke.

[0055] As described above, the electrically heated cigarette 23 alsocomprises at least one flavoring-release additive. The flavoring can be,for example, one or more flavorings including, but not limited to,menthol, mint, such as peppermint and spearmint, chocolate, licorice,citrus and other fruit flavors, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethylvanillin, breath freshener flavors, spice flavors, such as cinnamon,methyl salicylate, linalool, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil,ginger oil, and tobacco flavor. In a preferred embodiment, the flavoringis menthol and optionally at least one mint flavoring.

[0056] As described above, the flavoring-release additive can havedifferent structures and compositions in the electrically heatedcigarette. In one preferred embodiment, the flavoring-release additiveis in the form of beads. The beads preferably encapsulate the flavoringand provide for controlled release of the flavoring in the cigaretteduring puff cycles.

[0057] The beads preferably comprise at least one encapsulating materialand at least one flavoring. The encapsulating material preferablycomprises a binder, which can be, for example, one or more of palm oil,konjac gum, xylitol, zein, hydroxypropylcellulose, sorbitol, maltitol,and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Other materials known in the art thatcan improve the bead-forming characteristics of the encapsulatingmaterial or enhance its stability can optionally also be added in thebeads. In a preferred embodiment, the beads have a substantiallyhomogenous composition in which flavoring is substantially uniformlydistributed. By such structure, the flavoring can be released from thebeads in a more uniform manner during smoking.

[0058] Depending on the composition of the beads, the minimumtemperature at which the beads release the flavoring can be adjusted.Beads comprising one or more of the above-described binders preferablyhave a minimum temperature at which the flavoring is released of atleast about 40° C., such as about 40° C. to about 150° C. The beadsprotect the flavoring from exposure to undesired substances in theatmosphere (e.g., ambient air, inside a package) and undesiredsubstances in the cigarette, and preferably minimize release and/ormigration of the flavoring until the flavoring-release additive isheated to a sufficiently high temperature during smoking of thecigarette. Consequently, the flavoring is preferably substantiallyprevented from migrating in the cigarette, reacting with othersubstances in the cigarette or with the environment, and deactivatingsorbent present in the cigarette.

[0059] The beads can have any desired shape, such as different regularand irregular shapes, including round, square, rectangular, oval, otherpolygonal shapes, cylindrical, fibrous, and the like. The beads can havevarious sizes. Preferably, the beads are microbeads having a maximumparticle size of less than about 25 microns, and more preferably lessthan about 1 micron. Decreasing the size of the beads can provide a morehomogenous and controlled release of flavoring by providing increasedsurface area of the beads.

[0060] The beads can be manufactured by any suitable process thatproduces beads having the desired structure, composition, and size. Forexample, the beads can be manufactured by extrusion, spray drying,coating, or other suitable processes. In a preferred embodiment, thebeads are formed by forming a solution, dispersion or emulsioncontaining a binder, flavoring and optional additives to form beads,which can be isolated and dried. Processes for preparing beadscontaining an active ingredient, such as a flavor, are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,325,859, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

[0061] The electrically heated cigarette 23 preferably comprises anamount of the beads that provides a desired amount of the flavoring inthe cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically heatedcigarette comprises, based on the total weight of tobacco in thecigarette, up to about 20%, and more preferably about 10% to about 15%,of the beads. For example, a cigarette containing 100 mg of tobaccopreferably contains up to about 20 mg of beads. The beads can preferablycomprise up to about 20% of flavoring. The cigarette can comprise, forexample, from about 1 mg to about 15 mg of flavoring.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the beads are disposed in at least onelocation in the electrically heated cigarette 23 that reaches at leastthe minimum temperature at which the flavoring is released from thebeads and into the cigarette during smoking. For example, the beads canbe disposed in the tobacco rod 60, in the void 90 between the tobaccoplug 80 and the free-flow filter 74, on one or more surfaces of thefree-flow filter 74, on or in the mat 66, and/or on or in the inner wrap84 surrounding the tobacco plug 80.

[0063] In another preferred embodiment, different bead compositionshaving two or more different minimum flavoring-release temperatures canbe incorporated at two or more locations in an electrically heatedcigarette that reaches different temperatures at such locations duringsmoking. For example, beads having a first flavoring release temperaturecan be located at a first location in the cigarette that reaches thefirst flavoring-release temperature, and beads having a secondflavoring-release temperature higher than the first flavoring-releasetemperature can be located at a second location in the cigarette thatreaches the second flavoring-release temperature. For example, the twoflavoring release temperatures can vary by up to about 100° C. Forexample, these two temperatures can vary by up to about 10° C., 20° C.,30° C., 40° C., 50° C., 60° C., 70° C., 80° C., 90° C., or 100° C.

[0064] In another preferred embodiment, the flavoring-release additiveincludes a film. The film preferably encapsulates the flavoring andenables the controlled temperature release of the flavoring in thecigarette during smoking. In a preferred embodiment, the film comprisesby weight up to 20%, more preferably about 10% to about 15%, of theflavoring. In a preferred embodiment, the film encapsulates menthol andoptionally also mint.

[0065] The film-type flavoring-release additive preferably comprises atleast one encapsulating material and at least one flavoring. Theencapsulating material preferably comprises a binder, which can be, forexample, one or more of carraghenan, gelatin, agar, gellan gum, gumarabic, guar gum, xanthum gum, and pectin. Other materials known in theart that can improve the film-forming characteristics of theencapsulating material or enhance its stability can optionally be addedto the film. In a preferred embodiment, the film has a substantiallyhomogenous composition in which flavoring is substantially uniformlydistributed. By such structure, the flavoring can be released from thefilm in a more desired manner during smoking. The film encapsulatingmaterial provides a barrier to the release of the flavoring.

[0066] Depending on the composition of the film, the minimum temperatureat which the film releases the flavoring can be adjusted/selected. Afilm comprising one or more of the above-described binders preferablyhas a minimum temperature at which the flavoring is released of at leastabout 50° C., such as up to about 120° C. The film protects theflavoring from exposure to undesired substances in the cigarette andatmosphere and substantially prevents the flavoring from being releaseduntil the film is heated to the flavoring release temperature duringsmoking of the cigarette.

[0067] The film can be applied to one or more components of theelectrically heated cigarette as a liquid coating, which is dried to afilm. The dimensions of the dried film are not limited. Preferably, thedried film has a maximum thickness of about 50 microns to about 150microns, and more preferably about 75 microns.

[0068] The film can be manufactured by any suitable process thatproduces a film having the desired structure, composition, anddimensions. For example, the film can be applied by a coating process,such as spray coating, a dipping process, electrostatic deposition,printing wheel application, gravure printing, ink jet application, andthe like. In a preferred embodiment, an emulsion, suspension or slurrycomprising the binder, flavoring, and optional additives is prepared andthen applied as a coating to one or more selected surfaces of one ormore selected components of the electrically heated cigarette. Thecoating is preferably dried to remove water and/or other solvents andform a solid film having desired dimensions. Exemplary processes thatcan be used to prepare the films are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,006,347 and commonly-owned 4,715,390, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

[0069] The electrically heated cigarette 23 preferably comprises anamount of the film that releases a desired amount of the flavoringduring smoking of the cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, theelectrically heated cigarette comprises, based on the total weight oftobacco in the cigarette to which the film is applied, up to about 20%,and more preferably about 10% to about 15%, of the film. For example, ifthe film is applied to the mat, the weight of tobacco contained in themat preferably is the weight basis for the amount of the film. If thefilm is applied to the mat and to the tobacco plug, the total weight oftobacco contained in the mat and the tobacco plug preferably is theweight basis for the amount of film applied in the cigarette.Preferably, the weight of tobacco contained in the mat is the weightbasis for the amount of film applied to the mat, and the weight oftobacco contained in the tobacco plug is the weight basis for the amountof film applied to the tobacco plug. In a preferred embodiment, thecigarette can comprise from about 1 mg to about 15 mg of flavoring.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the film is disposed in at least onelocation in the electrically heated cigarette 23 that reaches at leastthe flavoring release temperature. For example, the film can be disposedon the tobacco plug 80, on the inner wrap 84 surrounding the tobaccoplug 80, on the mat 66, and/or on the over wrap 71 surrounding the mat.When the film is disposed on the inner wrap 84 and/or over wrap 71, theweight of the inner wrap 84 and/or over wrap 71 is the weight basis forthe amount of the film. In another preferred embodiment, the film can bepreformed, shredded and incorporated in the tobacco plug 80, and/orother selected locations that reach the flavoring release temperature.

[0071] In another preferred embodiment, different flavored films havingtwo or more different minimum flavoring-release temperatures can beincorporated at different locations in an electrically heated cigarette,where during smoking of the cigarette, the temperatures at the differentlocations exceed the minimum release temperatures of the differentfilms.

[0072] In another preferred embodiment, the flavoring-release additiveis an inclusion complex. The inclusion complex comprises a “hostmolecule,” and the flavoring is the “guest molecule” in the inclusioncomplex. The inclusion complex provides for controlled release of theflavoring in the cigarette during smoking. In a preferred embodiment,the flavoring is a lipophilic organic flavoring, which preferablyconcentrates within a hydrophobic cavity of the host molecule. Suitableflavorings include, but are not limited to, menthol, mint, such aspeppermint and spearmint, chocolate, licorice, citrus and other fruitflavors, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, breath freshenerflavors, spice flavors, such-as cinnamon, methyl salicylate, linalool,bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil, and tobacco flavor.In a preferred embodiment, the flavoring includes vanillin and gammaoctalactone. In a preferred embodiment, the inclusion complex comprisesby weight up to about 20%, more preferably from about 10% to about 15%,of the flavoring.

[0073] The host molecule of the inclusion complex is preferably acyclodextrin. Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides includingglucopyranose subunits, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.3,426,011 and commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,964, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The inclusion complexis formed when a flavoring material is mixed with a selectedcyclodextrin in solution. The flavoring resides inside the cyclodextrinring structure. The cyclodextrins and flavoring are typicallyco-precipitated, filtered, and dried.

[0074] Alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin and gamma-cyclodextrininclude six, seven and eight glucopyranose subunits, respectively. In apreferred embodiment, the inclusion complex comprises beta-cyclodextrin,which can desirably accommodate a wide variety of guest molecules and isreadily available. Beta-cyclodextrin has a ring structure of the linkedsubunits with a three-dimensional torus configuration including ahydrophobic cavity with a 7.5 Å diameter and hydrophillic upper andlower edges.

[0075] The minimum temperature at which the inclusion complex comprisinga cyclodextrin releases the flavoring is preferably at least about 60°C., such as from about 60° C. to about 125° C. By incorporating theflavoring in the inclusion complex, the flavoring can be protected fromexposure to undesired substances in the cigarette and the atmosphererelease and/or migration of the flavoring is preferably minimized untilthe flavoring-release additive is heated to the flavoring releasetemperature during smoking of the cigarette.

[0076] The inclusion complex is preferably in powder form. The powderpreferably has maximum size of less than about 200 microns.

[0077] The inclusion complex can be made by forming an aqueous solutionof beta-cyclodextrin and the flavoring. The inclusion complex can berecovered from the solution in powder form. However, the solution can beapplied directly to one or more selected locations of one or morecomponents of the electrically heated cigarette by any suitable process.The inclusion complex powder can alternatively be used to form asolution or a suspension. The inclusion complex can be applied by acoating process, such as slurry coating, spraying, a dipping process,electrostatic deposition, printing wheel application, gravure printing,ink jet application, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, asolution, suspension or slurry comprising the cyclodextrin and flavoringis prepared and applied as a coating to selected surfaces of selectedcomponents of the electrically heated cigarette. Exemplary processesthat can be used to apply the inclusion complex in the electricallyheated cigarette are described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No.5,144,964, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0078] The electrically heated cigarette 23 preferably comprises anamount of the inclusion complex that provides a desired amount of theflavoring in the cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, the electricallyheated cigarette comprises, based on the weight of the over wrap or mat,up to about 15%, and more preferably less than about 8%, of theinclusion complex. For example, if the inclusion complex is applied tothe mat, then the weight of the mat preferably is the weight basis forthe amount of the inclusion complex applied to the mat. If the inclusioncomplex is applied to the mat and the over wrap, then the total weightof the mat and the over wrap preferably is the weight basis for theamount of the inclusion complex applied to the mat and the over wrap.The weight percent of the inclusion complex that is applied to the matand/or over wrap can be the same or different. In a preferredembodiment, the cigarette comprises from about 1 mg to about 50 mg offlavoring.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the inclusion complex is disposed inat least one location in the electrically heated cigarette 23 thatreaches at least the minimum temperature at which the flavoring isreleased from the inclusion complex in the cigarette during smoking. Forexample, the inclusion complex can be disposed on the inner wrap 84, mat66, and/or the over wrap 71.

[0080] In another preferred embodiment, the electrically heatedcigarette comprises two or more different types of flavoring-releaseadditives, for example, a bead and a film and/or an inclusion complex,with each flavoring-release additive having a different flavoringrelease temperature. The different flavoring-release additives can beincorporated at two or more locations in the same electrically heatedcigarette that reach different temperatures during smoking in order toprovide further controlled release of the flavoring during smoking.

[0081]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of an electricalsmoking system in which preferred embodiments of the electrically heatedcigarette can be used. However, it should be understood that preferredembodiments of the electrically heated cigarette can be used inelectrical smoking systems having other constructions, such as thosehaving different electrically powered lighter constructions. Theelectrical smoking system 21 includes an electrically heated cigarette23 and a reusable lighter 25. The cigarette 23 is constructed to beinserted into and removed from a cigarette receiver 27, which is open ata front end portion 29 of the lighter 25. Once the cigarette 23 isinserted, the smoking system 21 is used in a similar manner as a moretraditional cigarette, but without lighting or smoldering of thecigarette 23. The cigarette 23 is discarded after smoking.

[0082] Preferably, each cigarette 23 provides a total of at least eightpuffs (puff cycles) per smoke. However, the cigarette 23 can beconstructed to provide a lesser or greater total number of availablepuffs.

[0083] The lighter 25 includes a housing 31 having front and rearhousing portions 33 and 35, respectively. A power source 35a, such asone or more batteries, is located within the rear housing portion 35 andsupplies energy to a heater fixture 39. The heater fixture 39 includes aplurality of electrically resistive, heating elements 37 (FIG. 6). Theheating elements 37 are arranged within the front housing portion 33 toslidingly receive the cigarette 23. A stop 183 located in the heaterfixture 39 defines a terminal end of the cigarette receiver 27 (FIG. 2).

[0084] Control circuitry 41 in the front housing portion 33 selectivelyestablishes electrical communication between the power source 35 a andone or more of the heating elements 37 during each puff cycle.

[0085] The rear housing portion 35 of the housing 31 is constructed tobe opened and closed to facilitate replacement of the power source 35 a.Preferably, the front housing portion 33 is removably attached to therear housing portion 35 by mechanical engagement.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the controlcircuitry 41 is activated by a puff-actuated sensor 45, which issensitive to either changes in pressure or changes in the rate of airflow that occur upon initiation of a draw on the cigarette 23 by asmoker. The puff-actuated sensor 45 is preferably located within thefront housing portion 33 of the lighter 25 and communicates with a spaceinside the heater fixture 39 via a port 45 a extending through a sidewall portion 182 of the heater fixture 39. Once actuated by the sensor45, the control circuitry 41 directs electric current to an appropriateone of the heating elements 37.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, an indicator 51 is provided at alocation along the exterior of the lighter 25 to visually indicate thenumber of puffs remaining in a cigarette 23, or other selectedinformation. The indicator 51 preferably includes a liquid crystaldisplay. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator 51 displays a selectedimage when a cigarette detector 57 detects the presence of a cigarettein the heater fixture 39. The detector 57 can comprise any arrangementthat senses the presence of an electrically heated cigarette. Forexample, the detector can comprise an inductive coil 1102 adjacent thecigarette receiver 27 of the heater fixture 39 and electric leads 1104that communicate the coil 1102 with an oscillator circuit within thecontrol circuitry 41. In such case, the cigarette 23 can include ametallic element (not shown), which can affect inductance of the coilwinding 1102 such that whenever a suitable cigarette 23 is inserted intothe receiver 27, the detector 57 generates a signal to the circuitry 41indicating the cigarette is present. The control circuitry 41 provides asignal to the indicator 51. When the cigarette 23 is removed from thelighter 25, the cigarette detector 57 no longer detects the presence ofa cigarette 23 and the indicator 51 is turned off.

[0088] The heater fixture 39 supports an inserted cigarette 23 in afixed relation to the heating elements 37 such that the heating elements37 are positioned alongside the cigarette 23 at approximately the samelocation for each newly inserted cigarette 23. In a preferredembodiment, the heater fixture 39 includes eight mutually parallelheater elements 37, which are disposed concentrically about the axis ofsymmetry of the cigarette receiver 27. The location where each heatingelement 37 touches a fully inserted cigarette 23 is referred to hereinas the heater footprint or char zone 42.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 6, the heating elements 37 preferably eachinclude at least first and second serpentine, elongate members 53 a and53 b adjoined at a tip 54. The heater portions 53 a, 53 b and 54 form aheater blade 120. The tips 54 are adjacent the opening 55 of thecigarette receiver 27. The opposite ends 56 a and 56 b of each heatingelement 37 are electrically connected to the opposite poles of the powersource 35 a as selectively established by the controller 41. Anelectrical pathway through each heating element 37 is established,respectively, through a terminal pin 104, a connection 121 between thepin 104 and a free end portion 56 a of one of the serpentine members 53a, through at least a portion of the tip 54 to the other serpentinemember 53 b and its end portion 56 b. Preferably, a connection ring 110provides a common electrical connection to each of the end portions 56b. In a preferred embodiment, the ring 110 is connected to the positiveterminal of the power source 35 a through a connection 123 between thering 110 and a pin 105.

[0090] Preferably, the heating elements 37 are individually energized bythe power source 35 a under the control of the control circuitry 41 toheat the cigarette 23 preferably eight times at spaced locations aboutthe periphery of the cigarette 23. The heating renders eight puffs fromthe cigarette 23, as is commonly achieved with the smoking of a moretraditional cigarette. It may be preferred to activate more than oneheating element simultaneously for one or more or all of the puffs.

[0091] The heater fixture 39 includes an air inlet port 1200 throughwhich air is drawn into the lighter. A pressure drop is induced upon theair entering the lighter such that the puff sensor 45 is operative torecognize initiation of a puff. The range of pressure drop induced isselected such that it is within the range of pressure drop detectable bythe pressure sensor 45.

[0092] The length of the tobacco plug 80 and its relative position alongthe tobacco rod 60 is preferably selected based on the construction andlocation of the heating elements 37 of the electrical smoking system 21.When a cigarette 23 is properly positioned against a stop 182 (FIG. 2)within the lighter of the electrical smoking system, a portion of eachheating element contacts the tobacco rod 60. This region of contact isreferred to as a heater footprint 95, which is that region of thetobacco rod 60 where the heating element 37 is expected to reach atemperature high enough to allow smoking of the cigarette withoutcombustion of the cigarette paper, mat or tobacco. The heater foot print95 can consistently locate along the tobacco rod 60 at the samepredetermined distance 96 from the free end 78 of the tobacco rod 60 forevery cigarette 23 that is fully inserted into the lighter 25.

[0093] Preferably, the length of the tobacco plug 80 of the cigarette23, the length of the heater footprint 95, and the distance between theheater footprint 95 and the stop 182 are selected such that the heaterfootprint 95 extends beyond the tobacco plug 80 and superposes a portionof the void 91 by a distance 98. The distance 98 is also referred to asthe “heater-void overlap” 98. The distance over which the remainder ofthe heater footprint 95 superposes the tobacco plug 80 is referred to asthe “heater-filler overlap” 99.

[0094] The length of the void 91, tobacco plug 80, and the distributionof the perforation holes 263 may be adjusted to adjust the smokingcharacteristics of the cigarette 23, including adjustments in its taste,draw and delivery. The pattern of holes 263, the length of the void 90and the amount of heater-filler overlap 99 (and heater-void overlap 98)may also be manipulated to adjust the immediacy of response, to promoteconsistency in delivery.

[0095] Electrically heated cigarettes according to preferred embodimentscan provide advantages. By encapsulating one or more added flavorings,especially volatile flavoring, the flavoring(s) can be retained in thecigarette until it is smoked. In addition, the flavoring is preferablytemperature released in a controlled manner during smoking, therebyproviding the smoker with an enhanced subjective characteristic of thecigarette. As the flavoring can be retained in the flavoring-releaseadditive until the cigarette is smoked, deactivation of the sorbent inthe cigarette is preferably minimized. Consequently, the sorbentmaintains it ability to remove selected gas phase constituents frommainstream smoke.

[0096] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Thus, while the inventionhas been illustrated and described in accordance with various preferredembodiments, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrically heated cigarette for anelectrical smoking system, comprising: at least one sorbent; and aflavoring-release additive including at least one flavoring releasablein the electrically heated cigarette upon the flavoring-release additivebeing heated to at least a minimum temperature.
 2. The electricallyheated cigarette of claim 1, wherein the sorbent is activated carbon. 3.The electrically heated cigarette of claim 1, wherein the sorbent iszeolite.
 4. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 1, wherein theflavoring is (i) menthol, or (ii) vanillin and gamma octalactone.
 5. Theelectrically heated cigarette of claim 1, wherein the flavoring is atleast one flavoring selected from the group consisting of menthol, mint,chocolate, licorice, fruit flavors, gamma octalactone, vanillin, ethylvanillin, breath freshener flavors, spice flavors, methyl salicylate,linalool, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil, and tobaccoflavor.
 6. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 1, wherein theflavoring-release additive is in the form of beads.
 7. The electricallyheated cigarette of claim 6, wherein the beads comprise a binderselected from the group consisting of palm oil, konjac gum,hydroxypropylcellulose, xylitol, zein, sorbitol, maltitol, andhydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
 8. The electrically heated cigarette ofclaim 6, wherein the beads have a maximum particle size of less thanabout 25 microns.
 9. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 8,wherein the beads have a maximum particle size of less than about 1micron.
 10. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 6, whichcomprises, based on the total weight of tobacco in the electricallyheated cigarette, up to about 20% by weight of the beads.
 11. Theelectrically heated cigarette of claim 6, wherein the beads comprise byweight up to about 20% of the flavoring.
 12. The electrically heatedcigarette of claim 6, wherein the minimum temperature is about 40° C.and the beads are disposed in at least one location in the electricallyheated cigarette that reaches at least about 40° C. during smoking ofthe cigarette.
 13. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 6, whereinthe beads are disposed in a tobacco rod, in a void between a tobaccoplug and a free-flow filter, on a free-flow filter, on atobacco-containing mat, and/or on an inner wrap surrounding the tobaccoplug.
 14. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 1, wherein theflavoring-release additive is a film.
 15. The electrically heatedcigarette of claim 14, wherein the film comprises a binder selected fromthe group consisting of carraghenan, gelatin, agar, gellan gum, gumarabic, guar gum, xanthum gum, and pectin.
 16. The electrically heatedcigarette of claim 14, wherein the film has a thickness of less thanabout 150 microns.
 17. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 14,which comprises, based on the total weight of tobacco in theelectrically heated cigarette, up to about 20% by weight of the film.18. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 14, wherein the filmcomprises by weight up to about 20% of the flavoring.
 19. Theelectrically heated cigarette of claim 14, wherein the film is inshredded form.
 20. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 14,wherein the minimum temperature is about 50° C., and the film isdisposed in at least one location in the electrically heated cigarettethat reaches at least about 50° C. during smoking of the cigarette. 21.The electrically heated cigarette of claim 14, wherein the film isdisposed in a tobacco plug, on an inner wrap surrounding the tobaccoplug, on a tobacco-containing mat, and/or on an over wrap surroundingthe mat.
 22. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 1, wherein theflavoring-release additive is an inclusion complex which includes a hostmolecule and the flavoring is a guest molecule in the inclusion complex.23. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 22, wherein the hostmolecule is beta-cyclodextrin.
 24. The electrically heated cigarette ofclaim 22, which comprises, based on the weight of an over wrap and/ormat, less than about 15% by weight of the inclusion complex.
 25. Theelectrically heated cigarette of claim 22, wherein the inclusion complexcomprises up to about 20% of the flavoring.
 26. The electrically heatedcigarette of claim 22, wherein the minimum temperature is about 60° C.,and the inclusion complex is disposed in at least one location in theelectrically heated cigarette that reaches at least about 60° C. duringsmoking of the cigarette.
 27. The electrically heated cigarette of claim22, wherein the flavoring-release additive is disposed on an inner wrapsurrounding a tobacco plug, on a tobacco-containing mat, and/or on anover wrap surrounding the mat.
 28. The electrically heated cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the sorbent is fibers.
 29. The electrically heatedcigarette of claim 28, wherein the fibers are continuous ornon-continuous fibers.
 30. The electrically heated cigarette of claim28, wherein the fibers are impregnated with at least one sorbent.
 31. Amethod of making an electrically heated cigarette according to claim 1,comprising incorporating into an electrically heated cigarette (a) theat least one sorbent, and (b) the flavoring-release additive includingat least one flavoring releasable in the electrically heated cigaretteupon the flavoring-release additive being heated to at least the minimumtemperature.
 32. A method of smoking the electrically heated cigaretteof claim 1, comprising heating a portion of the electrically heatedcigarette to form smoke and drawing the smoke through the electricallyheated cigarette, the sorbent removing at least one selected gas-phaseconstituent from mainstream smoke.
 33. An electrical smoking system,comprising: a lighter; and at least one electrically heated cigaretteincluding: at least one sorbent; and a flavoring-release additiveincluding at least one flavoring which is releasable in the electricallyheated cigarette upon the flavoring-release additive being heated to atleast a minimum temperature.
 34. An electrically heated cigarette,comprising: at least one sorbent; and at least one flavoring-releaseadditive in a form selected from the group consisting of beads, film,and an inclusion complex, each flavoring-release additive including atleast one flavoring releasable in the electrically heated cigarette uponthe flavoring-release additive being heated to at least a minimumtemperature.
 35. The electrically heated cigarette of claim 34, whereinthe flavoring-release additive comprises at least two flavoring-releaseadditives in the form of beads, film, and/or an inclusion complex, eachflavoring-release additive having a different minimum temperature atwhich the flavoring is released during smoking of the electricallyheated cigarette.
 36. A method of making an electrically heatedcigarette according to claim 34, comprising incorporating into anelectrically heated cigarette (a) the at least one sorbent, and (b) theat least one flavoring-release additive in the form of beads, film,and/or an inclusion complex, the flavoring-release additive including atleast one flavoring releasable in the electrically heated cigarette uponthe flavoring-release additive being heated to at least the minimumtemperature.
 37. A method of smoking the electrically heated cigaretteof claim 34, comprising heating a portion of the electrically heatedcigarette to form smoke and drawing the smoke through the electricallyheated cigarette, the sorbent removing at least one selected gas-phaseconstituent from mainstream smoke.